Debra
Duffy

WHO I HELP

SMEs. Large organisations.

HOW I HELP

Onboarding. End-to-end payroll service. Payroll advice. Payroll compliance.

SECTORS

Hospitality. Charities.

“IT’S ABOUT TRUST, ACCURACY AND GETTING THE JOB DONE WELL.”

Based in our Stirling office, Debra Duffy is a UK Payroll Assistant Manager. She is a trusted point of contact for clients across a wide range of sectors, responsible for ensuring a seamless onboarding experience and delivering accurate, timely payroll services.

Whether she’s working through a complex payroll set-up or answering client queries, Debra takes pride in bringing clarity, reassurance, and a strong sense of ownership to every task she completes. Her inquisitive nature and passion for problem-solving mean clients know their payroll is in safe hands.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

“An ideal client relationship is built on open, consistent communication from both sides. No matter what stage we’re at, onboarding, processing or problem solving, it’s important that clients feel involved and reassured throughout. Communication isn’t just about giving updates; it’s about making sure those updates are clear, relevant, and easy to understand. Being honest, especially when something changes or doesn’t go to plan, is key to maintaining that clarity. It takes the stress out of the process and gives clients confidence in what’s being done on their behalf.”

CHALLENGES THAT SHAPE YOU

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was my first ever larger client. I had never worked with a client this size before, and the setup was very different to what I had encountered. There was, of course, pressure to get everything right, but it was also a great learning opportunity for me. I learned how to manage time, stay focused and ask the right questions. Since then, no matter the size or scope, I feel confident and excited taking on new and complex clients.”

BUILDING LOYALTY THROUGH CARE

”For me, it’s all about the clients. Having the opportunity to build trust and develop genuine relationships is central to what I do. A client once approached my manager and said that even though I had moved teams, they requested that I continue managing their payroll. That kind of loyalty means a lot; it shows that the relationship goes beyond simply ticking boxes.”

PASSION FOR PAYROLL

“My greatest strength that I bring to the team is my genuine passion for the technical side of payroll. There’s real satisfaction in taking client data, working through it carefully, and ensuring every detail is accurate and correct. That investigative and curious mindset means no assumption is made without reason, and nothing is left unchecked.”

STAYING FLEXIBLE WHEN IT COUNTS

“The nature of payroll means time pressure is part of the job, especially in the last two weeks of the month. Over the years, I’ve built solid time management skills to help me stay organised and deliver under pressure. That said, things don’t always run perfectly, and that’s where flexibility matters. I’ve learned that being upfront, keeping clients updated, and staying calm when plans shift helps build genuine trust.”

SAVING TIME WITH TECH

“Technology plays a significant role in helping us deliver efficiently. Especially with the new AI tools, they open up new possibilities to save us time and enable us to focus on areas that require a human touch. However, tech should support the work, not replace it. Payroll still needs a human element, particularly when identifying issues or providing reassurance. It’s about finding the right balance.”

PROUD TO BE AT AAB

“One of the best things about working at AAB is the people. Whether I’m helping a colleague or getting support myself, there’s always someone there. That support structure helps us all deliver better outcomes for clients, and it means you’re never on your own when tackling something new.”

THE QUIET COMPLIMENTS COUNT

“One of the best compliments I’ve had is ‘If the clients are quiet, everything must be fine’. It may sound simple, but that quiet confidence means we’re doing things right. Clients can focus on their business knowing payroll is handled, issues are flagged early, and everything’s running smoothly.”

MORE THAN PUSHING A BUTTON

“People often think payroll is just about pressing a button, but there’s so much more going on behind the scenes. From handling complex pension schemes to accurately calculating holidays, every payroll run involves multiple layers of checks, updates, and technical details. It’s that technical depth that I really enjoy, understanding the finer points and making sure everything adds up exactly as it should.”